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Publisher's Summary

This is Bryce Courtenay's moving tribute to his son, Damon, a hemophiliac who died from medically acquired AIDS on April 1, 1991, at the age of 24.

April Fool's Day is controversial, painful and heartbreaking, yet has a gentle humor. It is also life-affirming and, above all, a testimony to the incredible regenerative strength of love: how when we confront our worst, we can become our best. This tragic yet uplifting story will change the way you think. From the author of The Power of One.

The love between a father and his son is dominate. We are also treated to the private Bryce Courtenay, that shows him to very real with all the emotions. I enjoyed being in on their raising 3 boys. There were quite a few moments of levity thru out most of this narrative.
I do hope that you will not pass on this true story.

People with current experience in the treatment of HIV/AIDS or Hemophilia may find this book very frustrating. It represents a personal journey through what was at the time a very uncharted territory! Courtenay does not try to paint a rosy picture - it is a story of his son's journey from birth to death with a lot of "glitches" along the way because of everyone's unfamiliarity with the nature of the AIDS virus.

It is, nevertheless, an amazing story of life and love. If you can grit your teeth through the bureaucratic nightmare, you will recognize the journey of a very remarkable young man and the people who loved and supported him.

My heart goes out to Bryce with this story. Anyone who has to deal with the medical community anywhere should read/listen to this. You have to be your own advocate. You have to be educated about what health care can and can not do. Thanks so much to Bryce for sharing what must have been the hardest story of all to share. There is not enough thanks in the world for you and your family for this story.

What made the experience of listening to April Fool's Day the most enjoyable?

Bryce Courtney took a subject very close to his heart and brought to the reader not only the horrors of facing so many struggles with hemophilia and full blown AIDS but also he related hope and joy with the stories of people involved along the way with his son’s illness.

What did you like best about this story?

Celeste and Damion’s relationship.

What does Humphrey Bower bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Humphrey Bower is the best reader of the dozens of books I have listened to. He brings the characters alive, and I cherish every word he speaks. I cannot miss a single word he speaks.

What insight do you think you’ll apply from April Fool's Day?

I have much more empathy for those who have suffered and still suffer from diseases that are looked upon with such ignorance. The book also taught me to question and do research on any illness I might get, to not just trust those “in authority.” I loved Dr. Cole.

Any additional comments?

The two best books I have listened to are The Power of One and April Fools Day, both written by Bryce Courtney and read by Humphrey Bower.

Yes I would recommend this book. This book is written from the broken heart of a father, who guides his son through a life journey of pain, suffering, compassion, love and how to enjoy life to it's fullest. You will laugh, get angry and cry.

Which character – as performed by Humphrey Bower – was your favorite?

Humphrey Bower brings all of the characters to life, not just in this book but in all of the books by Bryce Courtney.

What did you learn from April Fool's Day that you would use in your daily life?

What made the experience of listening to April Fool's Day the most enjoyable?

The honesty of the story and compassionate delivery.

What was one of the most memorable moments of April Fool's Day?

Damon's first major bleed as a toddler; the showdown with the Emergency Department just before Damon's death.

Have you listened to any of Humphrey Bower’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Humphrey Bower is AMAZINGLY talented! He is so adept at adapting his accents to each character, regardless of ethnic/national origin, he makes the story come totally alive. I have listened to most of Bryce Courtenay's books in part because of Bower's delivery. He is a wonder!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

..?

Any additional comments?

Bryce Courtenay's books have taught me so much of the various countries, areas and historical events and, now, about the experiences of a hemophiliac and his family. I had no idea - and I have worked in healthcare all my life!

This is not a book for everyone. This is a book that tells of a dying son and the father's journey through the death and dying. It is a true story of Bryce Courtenay's sons haemophilia and eventual death from AIDS.

Story: The story is well written and tries to tell the story from a number of people's points of view. This is successful in some ways but mostly it is Mr. Courtenay's story about his anger and fight on his sons behalf. I became a little angry at times having lived through a similar thing and also being a part of the medical establishment that Mr. Courtenay rails against. Some of the things that he says are simply wrong and others are interpreted by a grieving and angry father. The story should be read by every medical student in an attempt to prevent the "God Complex" that is such a problem with this profession.

Narrator: As usual Mr Bower does a superlative job. Does this man ever read a story in a bad way????

I can't describe how good this book is. I was a mess by the end of it! Everyone should read this book. It is both moving and uplifting at the same time. The majority of us will be involved of caring for someone with a terminal illness at some point in our lives and thankfully the specialty of Palliative Medicine has come on on in leaps and bounds since this family endured this ordeal. This book captures perfectly the emotions, hopes, and fears of people in this position and I think it should be a compulsory text for all doctors and nurses in training.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

gemma

3/28/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"heartwrenching"

very moving. amazing strength shown by all charactors. thank you bryce for shating damon.s story

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

karen gadd

8/15/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"understnding things I hadn't given much thought to"

I was so moved about the sad story and was often in tears whilst listening. I think I have learned a lot from the story, things that I was ignorant to through lack of knowledge. I hope that I will be more understanding of these awful diseases in the future. Stories like this need to be told and I feel that I have a high regard for the author, his family and anyone who has been touched by these illnesses throughout their lives.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Knitting nut

NUNEATON, United Kingdom

6/14/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Love by the many for one"

Would you listen to April Fool's Day again? Why?

Yes. There are different narrator,s within this book each with a different thread and emotions

What did you like best about this story?

The different contributions by relatives and v. Close friends

Which scene did you most enjoy?

No one particular scene but maybe where a sense of humour is evident in spite being in great pain

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Both

Any additional comments?

Read or listen to this book. It is about a family and their relationships to each other especially as the HIV transforms to AIDS. It also gives a startling in sight into how the disease develops alongside haemophilia.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Chyryl

Holmfirth, United Kingdom

3/1/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"heart breakingly brilliant"

If you could sum up April Fool's Day in three words, what would they be?

Heartbreakingly brilliant story.

What did you like best about this story?

A personal insight into the tragic yet optimistic life of his son.

What about Humphrey Bower’s performance did you like?

Read with feeling

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Made me cry out and laugh in all the right places and sob at the inevitable end to the story and the life of Damon.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Lindsey

Coleshill, United Kingdom

2/14/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Moving at times but over long"

This is a sad story of a brave life. At times it is very touching, you learn a lot about the illnesses and how hard you sometimes have to fight the medical profession for some humanity... But I felt it was too long and disjointed to fully immerse myself in. The story is mainly told by Bryce but, due to it's nature, other family members (including Damon) tell parts of the story. In the case of Benita, Bryce's wife, this is only once and didn't seem to have continuity. Humphrey Bower is as excellent as always.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

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